Method of assembling a framework

ABSTRACT

The method of assembling a framework, comprises assembling at least a portion of its rib members to one another, at their ends, by means of wedge shaped elements. A part of generally frustoconic shape is driven into the framework at the point of convergence of at least three rib members to render it rigid.

United States Patent [191 Faucheux Dec. 31, 1974 METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A [56] References Cited FRAMEWORK UNITED STATES PATENTS [75] Inventor: Pierre Faucheux, Paris, France 3,186,522 6/1965 McCauley 52/81 X 3,255,556 6/l966 DAmato et al. 52/81 Asslgneel Etabllssemeflt Fresa, Vaduz, 3,531,851 10/1970 Douglas 52/82 x Liechtenstein 3,600,844 8/1971 Simpson 52/81 UX 22 F1 d: 2 l 1 1 8 Jan 1973 Primary ExaminerCharl1e T. Moon [21] Appl. No.: 326,273 Attorney, Agent, or FirmEmory L. Groff, Jr.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Jan 28 1972 Switzerland 1291/72 The method of assembling a framework, comprises assembling at least a portion of its rib members to one U-S. l n l I l R another, at their ends, means of wedge Shaped ele- [5 1] Int Cl B23; 17/00 ments. A part of generally frustoconic shape is driven [58] Field 52/81 into the framework at the point of convergence of at 52/86 least three rib members to render it rigid.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIEB DECS 1 I974 SHEET 10F 2 PATENTED mm 1914 3.857, 150

SHEH 2 0F 2 METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A FRAMEWORK In modern structures, it has been proposed to form roofing of irregular shape comprising a large number of flat or curved polygonal faces, forming between themselves angles variable from one face to the other. Such roofs can obviously not be assembled on conventional frameworks comprising especially a roof-tree and rafters.

On the other hand, it has been proposed to construct domes or cupolas of buildings by covering with a spherical web, a network of incurved ribs each arranged in a plane passing through the center of the spherical surface to be formed. These ribs generally form part of isosceles or equilateral spherical triangles assembled together step by step.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method of assembling a framework enabling the production of roofs of any shape.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that there is assembled at least a portion of the rib members of the framework to one another, at their ends, by means of wedge shaped elements, a member of generally frustoconic shape being driven into the framework at the point of convergence of at least three rib members to render it rigid.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a wedge shaped element for the application of this method, a structure obtained by the method and the application of the method to the construction of a eupola.

The accompanying drawing shows, diagrammatically and by way of example, two embodiments of structures and three embodiments of wedges according to the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an irregular roof struc ture.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, on a larger scale, of a wedge such as is used in the structure of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are similar views to that of FIG. 2, showing two other embodiments of wedges.

FIG. 5 is a partial view in perspective of a cupola framework.

The framework shown in FIG. I is that of an irregular roof comprising ten adjacent polygonal faces situated in different planes. This framework comprises rib members 1 connected to one another, at their ends, by wedge shaped elements 2.

Certain of these elements 2 (see FIG. 2) have surfaces 3, 4 forming a predetermined angle between them. The base of these wedges is notched parallel to the surfaces 3 and 4 so as to form wings in which holes 5 are pierced in which attaching screws can be engaged for the ends of two rib members intended to be assembled to one another along an angle corresponding to that which the surfaces 3 and 4 of the wedge form between them.

Other elements 2 (see FIG. 3) comprise two plates 6, 7 riveted to one another through one of their ends forming a hinge 8. These plates also have holes 5 enabling the assembly of each of them to one of the ends of a rib member 1 of the hinge. The angle which two rib members 1 form between them, thus assembled respectively to the plates 6 and 7, is adjustable due to a part 9 pierced at its middle by a hole in which is engaged the threaded end 10 of a rod 11 articulated to the hinge 8. The ends of part 9 are guided in a longitudinal groove 12, 13 respectively, presented by the plates 6 and 7 in their opposite faces and a nut 20 engaged on the threaded end 10 of the rod 11 enables the adjustment of the angular separation of the plates 6 and 7 produced by the part 9.

The wedge shaped element 2 shown in FIG. 4 comprises like the preceding one, two plates 6 and 7 articulated to one another through one of their ends forming a hinge 8. The angular separation of these plates 6 and 7 is ensured by a cross-piece 14 of which the ends 15, 16 are engaged in a transverse groove l7, l8 respectively presented by the plates 6 and 7 in their opposite faces.

Of course, cross-pieces 14 of different length can be engaged in the grooves 17, 18 of plate 6, 7, which enables their angular separation to be varied.

A particularly advantageous application of the method for the erection of cupola frameworks is shown in FIG. 5. It is in fact possible to assemble on site by means of rectilinear rib members 1 and of wedge shaped elements 2 a network of ribs constituting the sides of equilateral or partially equilateral and partially isosceles triangles, whose angles form support points for the surface of the cupola. To ensure the sphericity of the assembly of the framework, frustoconic parts 19 are driven into the junction of the summits of adjacent triangles assembled to one another, constituting the said support points.

Such frustoconic parts 19 can also be advantageously driven into the center of the convergent points at upper levels of several rib members I, in-a framework such as shown in FIG. 1, to render it more rigid.

Of course, the method of assembly of a framework described is not limited to the use of rectilinear rib members.

In the application of the method for the construction of a cupola especially, it is possible to use curved rib members constituting the sides of adjacent spherical triangles. These rib members can be united together at the angles of these spherical triangles by the wedge shaped elements and parts of generally frustoconic shape can be driven into the center of the points of convergence of several of these curved rib members to render the framework more rigid. There is thus avoided having to form a marking off of the ends of these curved rib members enabling them to be brought into abutment with the ends of other ribs converging at these points.

I claim:

1. Method of assembling a spherical framework including a plurality of rib members, comprising fastening at least a portion of its rib members to one another at their ends by means of wedge shaped elements, and driving a member of generally frustoconic shape into the framework at the point of convergence of at least three rib members to render it rigid.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein a network of ribs forming the sides of triangles by means of rectilinear rib members and wedge shaped elements is assembled so that the angles of said triangles comprise the support points of the surface of a dome.

3. Method according to claim 1 wherein the ends of the rib members are assembled by wedge shaped elements having a base in which a notch is formed so as to provide two wings inbetween the two sides of the wedge, each of said wings having at least one perforation.

ing a network of polygonal cells by fastening wedge shaped elements to rectilinear rib members at their ends, and raising the framework towards said apexes by.

driving a frustoconical member into the framework at the junction of rib members of the polygonal cells surrounding each said apex. 

1. Method of assembling a spherical framework including a plurality of rib members, comprising fastening at least a portion of its rib members to one another at their ends by means of wedge shaped elements, and driving a member of generally frustoconic shape into the framework at the point of convergence of at least three rib members to render it rigid.
 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein a network of ribs forming the sides of triangles by means of rectilinear rib members and wedge shaped elements is assembled so that the angles of said triangles comprise the support points of the surface of a dome.
 3. Method according to claim 1 wherein the ends of the rib members are assembled by wedge shaped elements having a base in which a notch is formed so as to provide two wings inbetween the two sides of the wedge, each of said wings having at least one perforation.
 4. Method according to claim 1 wherein the ends of the rib members are assembled by wedge shaped elements made of two plates hinged together along one of their edges, and including means for adjusting the angle defined between such two plates.
 5. A method for assembling the framework of a structural surface with apexes comprising the steps of: forming a network of polygonal cells by fastening wedge shaped elements to rectilinear rib members at their ends, and raising the framework towards said apexes by driving a frustoconical member into the framework at the junction of rib members of the polygonal cells surrounding each said apex. 